Plessey Semiconductors Limited today announced that they had successfully transferred their first bipolar process, the W-series process, onto their 8-inch line in Plymouth, England. The W-series bipolar process is a critical process for a number of new product releases as well as part of the ongoing support Plessey is providing to its existing foundry customers.

The first two Plessey products now in product test have been produced on the W-series process. The process exhibits very good low current performance, high linearity, and because of the single crystal emitter structure has inherently low flicker noise. These attributes are particularly effective in communication applications including low current circuits, synthesisers and tuners.

Not only is the process an excellent tool for communications products, the W-series linear bipolar process also offers excellent packing density. When this attribute is coupled with a transistor BVCEO of 18 volts we are able to design a competitive range of linear power devices, said Dr. Peter Osborne, Chief Technologist. In the third quarter of this year, we will be releasing a range of power management devices that should provide up to 30% efficiency improvements over what is currently available from competitive process technologies.

Dr. Paul James, Commercial Director, said, This is good news and is a positive indication for the remaining bipolar transfers. We have our range of high performance analog RF components on our complementary bipolar processes and these are now expected out in August of this year. We are on plan and continue to receive encouraging signs from our customers and the markets.

Plessey Semiconductors announced in February that it was releasing a new range of products from its facility in Plymouth, England. They also recently announced that they had passed the audits for TS16949, ISO9001 and ISO14001 certification.

For further product information and early release flyers, please contact sales(at)plesseysemi(dot)com

About Plessey Semiconductors Limited

Plessey Semiconductors is a British electronics manufacturing company and are the world experts in the development and manufacture of analog mixed-signal processes and products for the communications, instrumentation, and high reliability markets. Plessey Semiconductors uses its own proprietary processes to manufacture its products for industrial, defence, medical, aerospace and automotive customers. The high precision, high voltage products are available in high temperature and radiation tolerant options. Plessey Semiconductors has a design and technology centre in Swindon, England and is headquartered in Plymouth, England where it operates its own silicon processing on state-of-the-art 8-inch and 6-inch semiconductor manufacturing lines.

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